Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity By: Nicole Van Buren, Rachel Lowe, and Nicole Fernandez

Characteristics of ADDH Symptoms- difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity) Also, children with ADDH may day dream, become easily distracted from schoolwork or play, forget things, be in constant motion or unable to stay seated, squirm or fidget, talk too much, act and speak without thinking, have trouble taking turns, and interrupt others.

Characteristics of ADDH Cont. Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity has three subtypes: Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive ◦ Most symptoms (six or more) are in the hyperactivity- impulsivity categories. Predominantly inattentive ◦ The majority of symptoms (six or more) are in the inattention category ◦ Children with this subtype are less likely to act out or have difficulties getting along with other children. They may sit quietly, but they are not paying attention to what they are doing. Therefore, the child may be overlooked, and parents and teachers may not notice that he or she has ADHD. Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive ◦ Six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present. Most children have the combined type of ADHD

Characteristics of ADDH Cont. Children who have symptoms of inattention may: Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another Have difficulty focusing on one thing Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities Not seem to listen when spoken to Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others Struggle to follow instructions.

Characteristics of ADDH Cont. Children who have symptoms of hyperactivity may: Fidget and squirm in their seats Talk nonstop Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time Be constantly in motion Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities.

Characteristics of ADDH Cont. Children who have symptoms of impulsivity may: Be very impatient Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games Often interrupt conversations or others' activities

Conditions that coexist with ADDH A learning disability. A child in preschool with a learning disability may have difficulty understanding certain sounds or words or have problems expressing himself or herself in words. A school-aged child may struggle with reading, spelling, writing, and math. Oppositional defiant disorder. Kids with this condition, in which a child is overly stubborn or rebellious, often argue with adults and refuse to obey rules. Conduct disorder. This condition includes behaviors in which the child may lie, steal, fight, or bully others. He or she may destroy property, break into homes, or carry or use weapons. These children or teens are also at a higher risk of using illegal substances. Kids with conduct disorder are at risk of getting into trouble at school or with the police.

Conditions that coexist with ADDH (continued) Anxiety and depression. Treating ADHD may help to decrease anxiety or some forms of depression. Bipolar disorder. Some children with ADHD may also have this condition in which extreme mood swings go from mania (an extremely high elevated mood) to depression in short periods of time. Tourette syndrome. Very few children have this brain disorder, but among those who do, many also have ADHD. Some people with Tourette syndrome have nervous tics and repetitive mannerisms, such as eye blinks, facial twitches, or grimacing. Others clear their throats, snort, or sniff frequently, or bark out words inappropriately. These behaviors can be controlled with medication.

Impact on Speech/Language Development ADDH is sometimes present at the same time as learning disabilities that affect speech and language development. Children who stutter are more likely to have characteristics of ADDH than the general population. Children with ADDH are more likely to have language problems in the areas of syntax, pragmatics, semantics, and metalinguistics. Children with ADDH may also have difficulty with both metacognition and auditory processing. In students with ADDH, language processing difficulties are more likely to exist than simply language delays.

Impact on Second Language Acquisition All of the issues in speech and language development can be assumed to also have an impact on second language acquisition. There was no information that I could find on this topic.

Strategies/Resources for students with ADDH Organize everyday items. Have a place for everything, and keep everything in its place. This includes clothing, backpacks, and toys. Schedule. Keep the same routine every day, from wake-up time to bedtime. Include time for homework, outdoor play, and indoor activities. Keep the schedule on the refrigerator or on a bulletin board in the kitchen. Write changes on the schedule as far in advance as possible. Use homework and notebook organizers. Use organizers for school material and supplies. Stress to your child the importance of writing down assignments and bringing home the necessary books.

More Strategies/Resources for students with ADDH Be clear and consistent. Children with ADDH need consistent rules they can understand and follow. Give praise or rewards when rules are followed. Children with ADHD often receive and expect criticism. Look for good behavior, and praise it. Also, make sure rules are clear and consistent, establish a routine, use different types of learning modalities, and keep instructions short and specific.

References / Resources For more information: National Institute of Mental Health Science Writing, Press & Dissemination Branch 6001 Executive Boulevard Room 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD Phone: or NIMH (6464) toll-free Website:

References / Resources ADDis: Language Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder The Stuttering Foundation: